Pullman House/The Arcade

In 1873, J. C. Grubbs erected a new hotel near the train depot, called the Pullman Hotel. This was on the SW corner of Franklin and Washington streets where the H. Holmans lived. The hotel was refurbished in 1892, according to an article appearing in the October 6th edition of the newspaper. “Last week witnessed the formal opening of a second hotel in our city. Formerly known as The Old Pullman Hotel, it was thoroughly refinished and fitted in first class style by F. M. Myers. This is an elegantly provisioned house in every respect. Our traveling public’s patronage has begun to assume large proportions for our size as a little city. The old Pullman House has been renamed The Arcade. It is on the east side of town near the depot. Mr. Myers has spared no pains to rent this building with every thing in the most artistic manner.” The hotel also boasted the close proximity of a livery stable, owned by A. D. Hoff, “where good rigs at reasonable rates can be secured.”

Pullman Hotel, built in 1873, today home of Gary Heins.

In 1911, the Pullman Hotel was moved across Franklin Street to its current site, Heins Barbershop and home. In 1935, Clarence, “Shorty”, and Myrtle, “Myrt”, Woods rented the first floor of the hotel and opened a café called S & M Sandwich. People were still living in the 2nd floor of the hotel. When the second floor rents left, The Woods family bought the hotel for $1,000. They lived in the upstairs and operated the café until 1947. Lou and Lee Pech then purchased the café, calling it, This ‘L Do Café.

Pullman Hotel turned into cafe in 1935. Known as “This ‘L Do Cafe” in 1947.

In 1951, Oren and Flossie Heins bought the building. The Heins family lived there and operated the café until a new building was constructed that housed the This ‘L Do and DX Station. The new building was located on the southwest corner of Franklin and Iowa street.

Gary Heins and his wife use the old hotel as their residence today. Gary states that the lobby for the hotel was on the first floor. The front door was located on the south side and the stairway was located in the center of the building. When it became a café, the dining room and counter were on the north side, but later moved to the south side. The rooms facing Franklin Street on the second floor had a large sitting room on the north end and a small dressing room and a bathroom in the south end. The back of the building facing the depot included five small rooms for guests. Gary found some graffiti in the attic, which stated, “I am Eldon Dennison and I lived here in 1913.”